5 Things to Do When You Find a Roof Leak
Is there anything worse than discovering a leak in your roof? For many homeowners, the mere thought of creates at least a little bit of panic. Although you need to act quickly, taking the right steps when you find a roof leak can minimize damage and prevent further issues. Here are five things we recommend you do when you find a leak in your roof.
Protect the area. Find a bucket to catch drips and put down plastic sheets to cover floors or furniture.
Locate the leak. Look at your ceiling to find where the water is coming in. Punch a hole in the damaged area with a screwdriver so the excess water can drain out. This will keep your ceiling from sagging or collapsing.
Find where the problem is. Inspect your roof from the ground to see if you notice any missing shingles or other obvious damage. Go in the attic to see if you can see any damage. (If you can see light coming in from the outside, that’s a sure sign of a problem area.)
Call a roofing contractor. If your roof leak seems minor, you may be tempted to try and fix it yourself. However, you may not be aware of everything that needs to be inspected or repaired. It’s always best to call a licensed roofing contractor to make the repairs.
Cover the leaky spot temporarily. If more wet weather is expected and a contractor can’t get to your house immediately, take steps to cover the leak. Take all necessary safety precautions, then cover the area with a tarp. Secure it with a staple gun and some boards–but don’t nail or screw the boards to your roof. This can cause more damage.